Adhesive tape and method of making same



Oct. 19, 1943. R. G. DREW 2,331,894

ADHESIVE TAPE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed May 1, 1951 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 prmted inside Oct. 19, 1943. v R. G. DREW 2,331,894

ADHESIVE TAPE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed May 1, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 yeahhzlzed c el- (cl/Z0550 materif eZat keZCedulas/t, H 1 maitf ilSuch/as TB- 5 enemtedcelulaseor press are sensajCZaZZkz/zd Cadet/[05b matena sum as regefzmtfcZcellwZose 0r ceL Lap/m/w I (water/370g or orcbnary.) g, 2 A I I Patented Oct. 19, 1943 ADHESIVE TAPE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME 1 Richard Gnrley Drew, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Minnesota. Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn, a. corporation oi Delaware Application May 1, 1931, Serial No. 534,386

This invention relates to tapes; more particularly, to transparent tapes, carrying an adhesive; and to methods of making such article, the adhesive compositions carried thereby and to new and useful methods of applying this article.

Recent developments have found it desirable to use as a packaging and merchandizing matecellulose, or sheets comprising composites of such gelatinized cellulosic materials, such as a layer or film of regenerated cellulose combined with a layer or film of cellulosic compounds. The popularity of these materials resides in such qualities as brilliancy, sheen and transparency, and in the later development or" such material, in the waterproofness of this type of packaging material.

In using such transparent films, particularly as result from sheeted regenerated cellulose, the highly glazed surface and character of this sheet have made present types of adhesives unsuitable for adhesively applying this type of sheet or film in position, or for sealing a package made thereof into firm and waterproof contact. Thus where present day adhesives may be useful with paper for sealing a fibrous type of sheeted material, with highly polished transparent sheets these adhesives are ineffective as a seal, are nonadherent, as well as objectionable in that they' modify the transparent characteristic of the packaging material, film or sheet and detract from its desirable appearance.

In using gelatinized cellulosic sheets for packaging purposes in which the waterproof characteristics of the film are found desirable, present adhesives are further objectionable, in that they are non-adherent to this type of film and thereby the hermetic sealing characteristic of this sheeting are inefiective. Furthermore, in using gelatinized cellulosic sheeting material, such as known on the market as ordinary Cellophane, the hygroscopic characteristics of this sheeting material have made it objectionable as well as highly undesirable to use a glue bond adhesive in that a coating of such adhesive, as well as the moistening operation necessary for applying the same, will unduly warp and curl the transparent 3 Claims. (Cl. 117-122) sheeting material and deface the package upon which it is used. a

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a sheeted fabric of such material, such as gelatinized cellulosic material, and provide the same with an adhesive therefor, or a coating thereon which in no way interferes with the desirable properties of this transparent film while augmenting the characteristics of waterproofn'ess, where this quality is desirable.

It is contemplated by my invention to provide a transparent film made of gelatinized cellulosic materials, and unified with an adhesive coating which will in no way interfere with the desirable transparent characteristics of this material. It is further contemplatedby my invention to pro vide sheets of transparent gelatinized cellulosic material .withian adhesive coating; which will not alter the transparent characteristics of the film by reason of its presence or by reason of the method of application, in the position desired.

It is a further object of my invention to provide tape made of transparent sheeting which constitutes gelatinized cellulosic materials with a unified adherent coating of adhesive material, permitting the composite to be stacked or formed into rolls and applied to use without disfiguring or altering the transparent characteristics of the film in that the adhesive 'is directly pressure sensitive or that the energizing of the adhesive does not in any way alter the characteristics of the transparent film. Thus, it is contemplated by my invention to provide transparent sheeting material, such as that made of gelatinized cellulosic material, with a water insoluble adhesive coating which, in itself, is transparent and which permits application of this film wherever desired, without alteration of the transparent film.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an adhesive tape which has utility for sealing, and will not detract from the display of the wrapper or container, characteristic of using-a transparent sheeted material carrying an adhesive coat. It is contemplated by me to provide a transparent web or sheet, with a united adhesive coat, the composite of the adhesive and sheet being substantially transparent and the adhesion of the adhesive coat to the web having all the tenacious qualities characteristic of applying the adhesive layer to a fibrous type of sheeted material.

It is further contemplated by my invention to provide a method for preparing an adhesive tape or webbing, in sheet form, which has all the transparency, flexibility and waterproofing characteristics of gelatlnized cellulosic materials, and the strength of unification between the cellulosic sheeted imaterial and the adhesive coating to permit the product to be stacked or formed into rolls, when the adhesive coating is normally tacky and pressure sensitive, or when the adhesive coating is one which is normally dry and may be energized to adhesiveness, such change may be accomplished without in any way detracting from the transparent characteristics of the backing material.

Further objects of my invention reside in the preparation of an adhesive composition which may be applied to backing material, and particularly useful in connection with backing materials comprising smooth, highly polished and transparent sheeted material, such as made from gelatinized cellulosic material which, when so applied, will not interfere with the transparent characteristic of this backing material, and will firmly adhere thereto and act as an eflicient bond and seal therefor.

In general, it is an object of my invention to provide an adhesive tape comprising a backing of clearly transparent material and carrying an adhesive coat, the adhesive being of the character to be transparent and in equilibrium with the transparent backing material to neither in no way interfere with the desirable characteristics of the composite due to disfigurement by wrapping, nor due to coloration, opacity, resulting from applying the adhesive coating to the backing material.

In preparing an article of the character contemplated by me, comprising a transparent backing material, carrying an adhesive coat, it is preferred that the backing material comprise gelatinized cellulosic materials which result in transparent films, such as regenerated cellulose, cellulose esters, cellulose ethers, such as cellulose nitrate,.cellulose acetate or ethyl cellulose, or composites of such gelatinized cellulosic materials, such as a layer of regenerated cellulose combined with a layer or layers of cellulosic com-- pounds. I may further utilize a backing material comprising transparent sheets made from materials other than cellulosic material, and which may include a film of waterproofing material, such as films made of cellulosic compounds, varnishes, lacquers or the like.

In its preferred form, my invention is particularly applicable to transparent films of gelatinized cellulosic materials, such as regenerated cellulose, which is clear, transparent or lustrous. This may be made by forming an alkali cellulose solution, properly aged, of wood pulp or cotton linters, then xanthating to prepare viscose with carbon bisulfide and after careful filtration and clarifying by removing air or solid particles, coasting the viscose in a coagulating bath of sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate. The film so cast, is washed, desulfurized, bleached, softened with glycerine, then dried.

The product so made, though desirable for a great many purposes, has a tendency to be hygroscopic. It is preferred, therefore to waterproof the film so produced, either on one side or on both sides, with a thin film of nitro-cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose ether, and similar cellulosic compounds. It will be understood that the waterproofing ingredients may include oxidized oils, varnishes and lacquers. The primary requisite is the application of these waterproofing films so as not to impair the lustrous and transparent characteristics of the sheet formed and to overcome any tendency to provide a warped sheet by the waterproofing layer that may be applied. Additionally, coatings such as transparent rubber, synthetic resins, and like materials may be used as a waterproof coating.

In the use of the film as thus provided as a backing material for adhesive tape or for purposes of adhering adhesive tapes thereto, glue type adhesive tapes are insufiiciently adherent by reason of the highly glazed surface provided by this type of backing material. The use of ordinary adhesive tapes detracts from the package formed, where the transparent film is used as the packaging material.

I have found that I may utilize the transparent films of the character above described, having a highly polished, lustrous surface, and form a seal therefor or an adhesive tape therefrom by applying thereto an adhesive layer which becomes unified thereto and is in elastic equilibrium with the backing materials so that it has the full adhesive qualities and does not interfere with or disfigure the transparent or lustrous qualities of the backing materialor the sheet to which it is applied by reason of any tendency to warp or curl the same, or where utilized with a backing material of the character described and referred to as gelatinized cellulosic material, whether transparent, colored, opaque or translucent, when coated with an adhesive of the character herein described, made to be in elastic adhesive equilibrium, such film of material may be used and will expose its lustrous surface free from a warped or disfigured effect by reason of the fact that it carries the layer of adhesive.

Where transparency of the adhesive tape is not of major importance but where it is desired to provide a fiat, unwarped exposed brilliant and lustrous surface, I have determined that an adhesive coating may be applied to the cellulosic films of the character previously enumerated and obtain a composite in which the adhesive is unified thereto and in elastic equilibrium with the film from a composition made as follows:

EXAMPLE A A rubber compound and tackiness augmenting agent in the form of a synthetic resin. Proportions suitable for ordinary temperate climates may comprise: Pounds Plasticized, first quality plantation rubber,

such as clear crepe or smoked sheets 10 Cumaron gum or resin 2 Zinc oxide pigment The cumaron gum or resin is preferably an artificial resinous material coming under the group name of cumaron and indene resins, which is the polymerization product of coal tar derivatives. The above ingredients are compounded on a rubber rolling mill to a plastic condition and then cut to desired body or consistency, using a rubber solvent such as benzol or a petroleum solvent, such as high test gasoline.

In lieu of a synthetic resin I may employ a low boiling point natural resin, e. g., Burgundy pitch or pine oil foots. Burgundy pitch is soluble in both alcohol and benzol.

EXAMPLE B Pounds The ingredients above enumerated are compounded on a rubber mixing roll and then cut to the desired consistency in a rubber solvent, based upon the necessary viscosity for spreading this material. Ordinarily, in both Examples A and B, the solvent is calculated by the number of pounds of solid compound in one gallon of solvent, such as, 101 instance, 8 lbs. of solid or compounded material and 1 gallon of benzol, which is commonly referred to as an 8 pound cut. The variations in proportions of solvent added will depend upon the desired thickness of adhesive coating required in the residuum.

It will be understood that the examples above given are for purposes of getting the requisite adhesiveness in temperate climates. An increase in resinous material or wild rubber may be made for material to be used incolder climates and in warmer climates the resin component may be reduced.

The resinous'component may also be varied in its characteristics in its reactions to solvents by choice of the resinous material. Thus, for purposes of removal of the adhesive from some body to which it may be applied, it may be made soluble to various organic solvents, either benzol, gasoline, acetone or alcohol. Thus, where it is desirable to make a surgeons tape, which is soluble in alcohol, an alcohol soluble resin is added in the examples above cited. Such resin may be Burgundy pitch. This will permit alcohol to be used in removing a piece of adhesive tape from any surface, such as from the skin of a patient, by merely soaking the backing of the tape in alcohol. The rubber, in any event, merely acts as a vehicle for the resin and the character of the adhesive in its reaction to solvents will be dependent upon the character of the resin incorporated with the rubber.

The rubber resin compounds in their solvents may be spread upon the backing directly, utilizing a knife spreader to uniformly and equally distribute this material upon the'backing. The solvent may thereafter be removed by evaporation, preferably recovering the solvent by some suitable recovery method, leaving the rubber mixture upon the gelatinized cellulosic backing material. The coating so applied is firmly adherent and unified to the backing material and provides a normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive coating of a unified character, without in any way curling or warping the transparent gelatinizecl cellulosic film. When using sheeted material comprising a combination of a regenerated cellulose film or sheet and a film of a. cellulosic compound, the adhesives of the character above are particularly adherent and become unified directly with the backing so used.

Where it is desired to obtain a clear composite of backing material and adhesive, the adhesive preferred by me for this purpose may be made as follows:

EXAMPLE C Parts Rubber (double break down latex crepe) 200 Para cumaron resin 85 Wood rosin -Q. 10 Liquid paraffin oil (All parts are by weight.)

As a variation from the above, where lack of transparency is not objectionable and the addition of a colored hue to the composite of backing tack producing phase may be included to every and adhesive material desirable, the formula may be varied as follows:

EXAMPLE D Parts Rubber (latex crepe) 250 Zinc oxide 225 Pine green light colored pigment 25 Wood rosin 13'? Liquid paraffin oil tractive sheen of the composite, or the color (pigment or dye) may be added to the backing material itself. In either method 'of addition, where dyes are desirable and particularly, for a clear blue transparency, Indamine blue is suggested as of value for this purpose: pigmenting may be accomplished by such material as Prussian blue.

In the examples as above given, the preparations are by weight and variation may be made in the primary materials, as well as the quantity of the ingredients. Thus, in the examples given under C and D, latex crepe, the rubber component, may be varied by substitution in part or in whole by smoked sheet rubber. Though the synthetic resins, such as cumaron resins above referred to are preferred, various blends of other synthetic resins may be utilized, in part or in whole. To a certain extent, the wood rosin may be substituted by various grades of gum rosin.

In making the adhesives, the rubber base and the resin base determine the tackiness exhibited by the finished product. This relationship, also coupled to a certain extent with the treatment given to the rubber, determines this factor.

In producing a clear adhesive, the relationship of plasticizer (above listed in the form of liquid paraffin oil) and resinous material may be con;- sidered as constituting the tack producing phase of ,the adhesive and the greater the quantity of the tack producing phase that is added to the rubber, the greater the tackiness exhibited in the rubber base adhesive.

In general, for every two parts of rubber base, by weight, one part by weight of the tack producing phase may be added. As indicated above, the resinous content may be varied to increase the tackiness. However, in order to provide a unified adhesive, satisfactory for purposes of unwinding of the tape from rolls, the resinous content must be retained within certain limits beyond which the adhesive is likely to offset at normal atmospheric temperatures. For practical purposes, from one to two parts of resin or the utes to plasticize the same, with or without heat,

and after aging for twenty-four hours, is again with sheets formed of regenerated cellulose.

plasticized in a mill. At this stage, the material is suitable for addition to, or with, the materials constituting the tack producing phase. This may be accomplished as follows:

Marnon A 200 parts of rubber (double break down latex crepe from the rubber mill as above described) are placed in an internal mixer where the para cumaron resin, wood rosin and paraihn oil are added gradually during the mixing operation to thoroughly incorporate the same into the rubber. No solvent need be'used if the mixer is powerful enough to knead these resinous materials into the rubber. been thoroughly accomplished, a solvent such as benzol is introduced while the internal mixer is maintained in operation. This action-is'continued until complete solution results. The quantity of solvent added is in accordance with the means to be employed for spreading this material upon the backing material. It may, however, follow the preparations indicated above under Example B.

METHOD B 200 parts of rubber (preferably double break down latex crepe as above made) are placed in a stirring equipment where paddles agitate the solvent and other ingredients into solution. When 200 parts of rubber have been placed into this mixer, the agitating member is started and When the'mixing has Pumas TYPE 1 A preferred composition comprises:

Parts Rubber (latex crepe) 2 5 Resin (such as pine pitch or wood rosin) 4 A filler, such as Whiting (optional) l a quantity of benzol added to dissolve the rub- I ber. The resinous materials, in this particular example para cumaron resin, wood rosin and the liquid paraffin oil, are dissolved in a separate mixer, using an additional quantity of benzol as a solvent. When these parts are uniformly distributed and in solution, the parts from each mixer are combined. The quantity of benzol is calculated in accordance with the method which may be used for spreading it upon the backing material and the proportions are chosen as in the example above recited, immediately following Examples A and B above, and/or as more particularly pointed out hereafter. The solvent is separated after coating or spreading of the adhesive upon the backing material.

In use, the adhesive as above described may be directly applied to the backing or sheets of transparent gelatinized cellulosic materials, previously enumerated, and forms a desirable product. Where a sheet is made of gelatinized cel lulosic material which includes a waterproof coating, the adhesives as described may be directly applied, with very eflicient results.

Where considerable unification is desired between the adhesive layer and the backing material, to assure proper anchorage of the adhesive layer with the backing material, thereby assuring satisfactory unwinding or separation when the composite is formed into rolls or stacks, it is preferred to first coat the sheet of gelatinized cellulosic material with a priming composition. Priming of one surface is particularly effective The priming operation consists of first coating the backing material before application of the adhesive materials previously described.

The priming composition as preferred by me is a solution of a rubber-resin mixture in an organic solvent in which the solid materials may be varied from to 50%, with 80 to 50% of the solvents used. Preferably, the solids constitute about of the solution so prepared.

These two or three ingredients, as listed, constitute the solid components in the priming mixture above enumerated.

The priming composition so prepared is one which, upon deposition and volatilization of the solvent, will exhibit slow solubility upon treatment with the same solvent. In general, it is preferred, therefore, that the deposition product resulting from coating with the priming composition be one whose solid components are irreversible colloids. So far as the solvent which may be contained and is present in the adhesive coating composition during its condition for application, or one whose solid components, after deposition, are difiicultly soluble in the solvent used for plasticizing and coating the adhesive layer. In the example above given, such properties may be imparted to the deposition product by utilizing rubber which has been partially vulcanized, this solution being effected by plasticizing on the mixing roller in the presence of heat, sufiicient to render the mass sticky. As an additional operation. a solvent retardant may be added and, to a certain extent, the filler indicated in Primer type 1 above serves this purpose. Though Whiting is illustrated and preferred, those fillers which tend to exert an insolubilizing effect upon the rubber may also be used, such as zinc oxide.

Though it is indicated that high grade vulcanized rubber, plasticized to tackiness, may be utilized'with some degree of success in the ex-- ample above cited and identified as Primer type 1, it is preferred, particularly where transparency is desired, to use the combination of ingredients above identified, and to merely add during the mixing operation the requisite quantity of sulfur and accelerators. The quantity of these ingredients if any is merely sufficient to render the rub-' ber component diiiicultly soluble in the solvent present in the solution of the adhesive composition, so made for spreading purposes, without reducing the quality of this priming coat to unify with the adhesive layer superimposed thereover.

PRIMER NO. 2

Rubber, in the form commonly referred to as latex crepe, in the proportions above indicated, has added thereto sulfur and accelerators. These are vulcanized with heat after intimate admixture and while in the softened condition, are mechanically milled until a sticky mass, soluble in benzol or naphtha, is obtained. The amount of benzol or naphtha added is to obtain the requisite fluidity and these solvents may be added to the solid components in quantities of from 50 to as compared with the rubber and resin content.

Other primer compounds contemplated by me are such as maybe made from rendering rubber partially reversible for solution, as may be obtained by the action of sulfuric acid on rubber to form a so-called thermoprene compound.

In general, the primer layer is one which makes satisfactory bond with the regenerated cellulose backing material, or the gelatinized cellulosic material constituting such backing material, which may include a waterproofing layer of celluloslc compounds. Such material may be a layer of a synthetic resin, such as one of the group of polyhydric resins which makes excellent union with gelatinized cellulosic materials and with rubher. In the event that it is desired to wholly eliminate the primer layer and waterproof the backing material of regenerated cellulose, where this is used, the waterproofing layer over the regenerated cellulose backing material is one which has afllnity for the adhesive coating with which the adhesive coating makes better anchorage than would be the case if the regenerated celluiosic film alone were used. Such waterproofing materials may be a highly plasticized nitro-cellulose or cellulose acetate, oxidized and gelatinized drying oils, synthetic resins, such as phenolic condensation resins, or those of water white characteristics, such as urea resins. Those ingredients are chosen, as above indicated, which will be dimcultly soluble in thesolvent used in the solution of the adhesive layer composition subsequently applied thereto, so as not to disrupt the waterproofing coating where the priming layer is used for this purpose, or prevent dissolv-- ing the dry priming coating, to thereby proyide a weakened structure preventing proper unification between the adhesive coating and the backing material.

The method of application of the coating materials above described will, to a large extent, depend upon the character of the coating. The primer and adhesive coatings maybe successively applied where these are used in solutions of volatile solvents, by an onset process from rollers uniformly coated with the primer composition or the adhesive composition. With the more viscous composition of either primer or adhesive, these layers may be coated upon the backing by a knife spreader. For the more plastic form of either composition and where unification is desired, cal= endering or frictioning of these materials may be resorted to, to apply either the priming coat or the adhesive coat, or both.

As an example of one method which may be followed in preparing the composite, the following procedure is recommended: a web of regenerated cellulose film of the desired thickness is carried through a set of vertically positioned squeeze rolls. lhe lower roll has transferred to it, or dips into the solution of the primer composition. A uniform layer ofprimer is applied at this point to the film or web of backing-material. The web thus prepared travels from the squeeze rolls, to a duct for removing and drying oil the solvents in the primer. The web then is directed to a contrivance for coating, at which point a doctor knife or coating knife is used to spread a film of the composition of adhesive material. This composition is directly applied over the primer and is preferably in the form previousiy described before deposition, under Examples A, B, C and D, and where a solvent is included by the adhesive composition, the composite as coated is either hung in festoons or travels through a drying duct, at which point sufiicient time is allowed for complete removal of the solvent, and to form the deposition product to the desired consistency, due to the solid components present, for tackiness. If heat has been utilized to separate the solvent from the deposition product resulting in the adhesive, the composite thus formed may be cooled and brought to room temperatures, to render the product more convenient for stacking or winding into rolls. Where wound into rolls, the composite thus formed is then cut or converted into small rolls, suitable for trade requirements.

The adhesive composition as deposited upon the film heretofore described is one which is normally tacky and pressure sensitive. It is of particular utility in connection with the lustrous, highly polished backing material described in that the adhesive layer is in equilibriu with it and will not alter or warp its appearance. dicated, the adhesive layer is unified in that it has great adhesion inter se and when applied' as indicated, forms a -unified product with the material with a thin film of glycerine or lightly dust this surface with talc, fiour'or starch. In such event, a protective coating is applied which is not disintegrated by or which does not interfere with the adhesive action of the adhesive layer. 7

-Though it is preferred to apply this protective layerto the composite opposite to the adhesive coating, this layer of material may be carried by the composite in a manner to assure its interpositioning between layersof adhesive material and backing material, when the composite is formed into stacks or rolls and it will be readily understood that this material will then act in the nature of slip sheeting when the article is thus formed. It will be understood, however, that under ordinary conditions, the composite of backing material and adhesive layer as hereinberore described is a complete unified product and no further treatment need be made.

In the procedure heretofore described, I have indicated that it is preferred to have the adhesive coating as one which is normally tacky f or pressure sensitive and that the adhesive layer is in adhesive equilibrium with the backing material described, to preserve the luster and sheen of the backing or its transparency, where this is desirable. It may be desirable, under certain conditions, to modify the adhesive layer to a condition where it is normally dry and is not normally pressure sensitive but may be energized to become adhesive by a moistening agent, to render it suitable for application as a seal, adhesive member, etc.

\II have found that I may retain all the desirable characteristics of using a transparentbackirig material, or a highly polished and lustrous backing material, together with an ad hesive layer and maintain the composite so formed in elastic adhesive equilibrium, to retain the highly polished, lustrous and/or transparent characteristics of the backing material, by a variation in the components of the adhesive layer,

to obtain a product in which the adhesive layer is normally dry, and that I may further retain all these desirable characteristics, even though applying a .moistening agent which serves to energize and render adhesive the normally dry coating or layer of adhesive material. Such a material as contemplated by me is one which is suitable for use in a dispenser type of applicator for adhesive tapes. In this type of article generally, a roll of the composite adhesive tape is fed in contact with a moistening agent, which exerts a solvent action upon the adhesive layer and Asinthereby activates it and renders it sticky. In this condition, the tape or layer of material is applied package, or for other purposes, such as packaging or covering arrangement. Upon setting or drying of the adhesive layer thus moistened, permanent adhesion is experienced, even when the adhesive is contacted and applied to highly polished lustrous surfaces, characteristic of gelatinized cellulosic materials, cellulosic films or, in fact, any other type of surface. The exposed back of this tape or layer carrying the adhesive is not affected by the moistening and drying action and will expose the backing material with substantially its original lustrous and highly polished surface, and with the transparency of the original material, where this type of composite is used. Where used for a seal, the joints are of exceedingly high strength and are waterproof in character. The tape so formed is particularly suitable in connection with films of regenerated cellulose, whether waterproof or not, and is capable of use where an ordinary glue base adhesive will otherwise alter and warp the regenerated cellulose film, where this is used.

.for permanent adhesion as a seal or tie for a component dlssolvedin the solvent is gradually added until the dissolution of the components is effected.

' Solution B is prepared by swelling the hide glue in a minimum quantity of water over night and :;then after the hide glue has been completely softened, the full water component is added.

As an example of the adhesive layer useful in making a composite of the character above de-" scribed, the product may be made as follows:

' Foams E Parts Reclaimed rubber (selected tire tube reclaim) 90 Fresh rubber (latex crepe) 10 Zinc oxide 86 Water white rosin 140 be prepared from the following:

Foams F Solution A I Pounds Rubber (latex crepe) 50 Zinc oxide 50 Rosin 250 Solution B Pounds Hide glue 100 Water 200 Solution A is first prepared by dissolving the solid components comprising rubber and rosin in an organic solvent. The solvent is preferably benzol from 50-80% of the mixture as compared with 50-20% of the solids. Preferably, however, Solution A is one which constitutes of solids and 70% of solvent.

Solution A may be made by milling the rubber with the zinc oxide and the rosin and then adding the organic solvent, comprising benzol. Preferably, however, the rubber is milled, has added to it gradually the zinc oxide component and during the milling operation of these two, the rosin The adhesive as contemplated by this formula is completely prepared by emulsifying the glue solution and the rubber solution so that the rub- As a still further variation of the above, I may prepare an adhesive suitable for my purpose: in making a dry adhesive as follows;

FORMULA G Pounds Rubber (preferably thin latex crepe) 262 Zinc oxide 2 2 Wood rosin (preferably Solros) 1,300

The mixture as above indicated is made by milling the rubber and zinc components and then adding enough benzol to place the rubber in solution and thoroughly sustain the zinc oxide. When solution has been effected, the rosin, in benzol, is added and the entire batch mixed to effect a thorough distribution of the rosin and the rubber components. The rosin as chosen in the above example and known on the market as Solros is one which has been particularly treated to render it non-crystalline, and to reduce the quantity of its components which are insoluble in mineral oil. The material oxidizes more readily than higher grades of wood rosin or gum rosin.

In the examples cited above under Formulae E, F and G, the quantity of the rosin as compared with the rubber will be determined by the reduction of tackiness which may be desired to be imparted to the rubber and the requisite speed of setting and hardening of the adhesive surface after moistening and application of the composite carrying it. The larger quantities of the resin added in proportion to the rubber, the slower will be the action of setting after volatilization of the solvent while the reduction of the resin will tend to retain tackiness in the adhesive coat. I may add from 1.4 to 6 times the quantity of resinous material, particularly 4 those resins described, to rubber and retain the desirable characteristics of the adhesive coat in the final sheet.

Though I have included in the formulas illustrated an ingredient which is not soluble in the mixture of rubber and resin, such as zinc oxide in the Formulae E and G, and zinc oxide and an aqueous ingredient in Formula F, these are cited merely by way of example. In general, they are included where the tape is submitted to a rubbing action during the moistening operation and some degree of body is desired to be imparted to the film forming the adhesive layer and also where a proper moistening of the film is desired without displacement due to such solvent action as the moistening agent may exert upon the Thus, in the Examples E and G, zinc oxide, and in Example F, zinc oxide and dispersed glue act, to a certain extent, to properly control the moistening action upon the adhesive layer by the moistening agent that may be used, serving in the nature of a film control filler.

The adhesive as prepared, in solution in the requisite solvent, such as benzol, is applied toa backing material, as by the method aforesaid,

such as by passing the film of backing material 'is intended to leave a dry coating as the adhesion of the adhesive compositions, including the high quantity of rosin or resinous material, is so intense as not to require this preliminary treatment. Especially is this true when applying the formulas of adhesives under Examples E, F and G to a fibrous type of backing material. This type of adhesive is parti'cularlyuseful forthis purpose and instead of utilizing the highly lustrous, glossy and/or transparent films of gelatinized cellulosic material, the adhesive thus described, suitable for forming a dry surface, is admirably suitable for application to paper backing material, such as kraft paper. In this direction it is preferred that such paper known as sixty pound kraft paper be utilized. I may also use unified backing material prepared in accordance with my applications, S. N. 182,893 and S. N. 281,104, now Patent No. 1,760,820. Where the paper has been unified by an impregnation with a; -glue base material, a priming coat may be desirable and the primers described in my last mentioned patent may be used.

The backing materials, including the adhesive coating as above described, may then upon drying of the adhesive, be directly formed into rolls or stacked. Where a fast setting adhesive coating is found desirable so that a lower quantity of resinous material is used in proportion to the rubber component, there may be a tendency, especially in the warmer climates, for the adhesive coating to have a tacky reaction, particularly at the time when the web of material is wound into rolls. At this point, the unwinding properties may be improved by dusting talc or starch upon the composite formed by the paper and adhesive, so that a separating coat of starch or talc lies between the paper and adhesive surface when webs of this composite are formed into rolls. Preferably this may be aocomplished by dusting with a, minute quantity of starch or talc the dry coating of adhesive.

A composite as made in accordance with the above may be maintained upon a dispenser of the kind now generally used in connection with glue bond adhesive tape and the adhesive surface may be activated by organic volatile solvents, such as gasoline or benzol. These solvents, though inflammable, may be readily utilized if care is exercised to prevent the volatile portions of these solvents from coming in direct contact with highly heated objects -or open flames. Otherwise, non-inflammable chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as carbon tetrachloride or ethylene dichloride may be employed. When moistened by organic solvents, particularly those above" largenumber of surfaces and will set with greater rapidity than that experienced with adhesive tape which is moistened with water and utilizes a glue base adhesive layer. When the coating as above described is applied to the films of gelatinized using this type of material, as the adhesive layer, as in the case previously enumerated, is in elastic equilibrium with, said surface to which it is applied or with which it comes in contact. Any packaging material using this seal will stand crumbling or sharp bending without becoming disengaged at the point so sealed.

Where the film of backing material comprises composites of gelatinlzed cellulosic materials, such as regenerated cellulose coated with .cellulosic compounds, such as nitrocellulose or those other waterproofing ingredients previously enumerated as used in, connection with regenerated cellulosic films, the dispenser type of adhesive enumerated under Formulae E, F and G may vbe directly applied. Greater tenacity may be experienced with regenerated cellulose surfaces,

particularly those which may have been softened by the addition of glycerine, by the addition of small percentages of the primers heretofore described to the adhesive enumerated under Formulae E, F, and G or by the application of a primer layer of the character hereinbefore described,

When the dispenser type of adhesive is applied to paper backing material, moistening of the adhesive with an organic solvent before application for a seal or similar purposes, will not weaken the paper even though the moistening agent may be excessively applied and the full strength of the backing material is retained. Where used upon transparent backing material, such as gelatinized cellulosic films, the adhesive after setting will tenaciou sly affix itself to the highly polished surfaces and will thereby form an effective waterproof and water tight seal.

Coated upon paper backing, a more positive adhesion is obtained in its application to various uses. A greater rapidity in setting lends itself towards a more rapid fabrication in such processes as may involve the use of adhesive tapes. such as in the fabrication of cartons, paper boxes or similar products. Similarly, paper coated with these adhesives may be made up into corrugated boards with great rapidity and provide a resulting product of great strength in that it resists the moistening action resulting in storing the products contained in such packages under conditions which would ordinarily disintegrate and weaken glue base adhesive products. Thus, dressed meats and dairy products may be stored in cartons utilizin this type of adhesive tape, and be stored in refrigerated rooms for long periods of time ,without disintegration. The

, adhesive will equally adhere to asphalt coated obtain secure adhesion and proper anchorage.

The composite of adhesive and backing material is valuable in providing a product which is absolutely impervious to high humidities and permits direct application of water without disintegration. The composites of backing material and adhesive will not become disintegrated or become weakened or inactive by prolonged storage under moist or adverse storage conditions, detrimental to present day glue base adhesive tapes.

To illustrate the new and novel article as herein provided, and the method of using the same, resulting in new and novel methods of packaging, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 22.

of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of my invention;

Figur 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a method of packaging and sealing, utilizing the article heretofore described, and

Figure 6 is a plan view of a sheet useful therefor.

The method of wrapping and packaging, as contemplated by me, in one of its embodiments, resides in providing a transparent wrapping material l0, made of transparent films or sheets, preferably comprising gelatinized cellulosic material, such as regenerated cellulose, a form of which product is known on the market as Cellophane. In the preferred form as utilized by me, this gelatinized cellulosic film has coated on both sides thereof transparent coatings of waterproofing material, such as plasticized pyroxylin. In the illustration shown, a sheet of this material is wrapped about the article, which may be the goods themselves, such as in displaying packages of nuts,

dates, candy, meats or the like, or articles already packaged in printed material, such as candy, cigars and cigarettes. This wrapping material is formed about the article, the edges being folded over or superimposed, as shown at H. Over these superimposed edges, I may affix a layer of tape 12. The tape I2 may comprise any of the composite adhesive tapes made by me and as heretofore described. Preferably this comprises a film or sheet of gelatinized cellulosic material carrying a layer of adhesive, which i in elastic adhesive equilibrium with the tape forming the backing material. My invention contemplates sealing the overlapping edges II to render the contents of the package airproof and waterproof, to avoid losses of th moisture of the contents of the package and to prevent atmospheric moisture or humidity from altering the contents of the package. 'For this purpose I interpose between the transparent tape l2, the film of adhesive material which is in elastic equilibrium with the backing material, and set the tape over the superimposed edges of the package. This will in no way alter the display of the highly polished and lustrous finish of the package, and the transparency of the composite, particularly where this type of adhesive layer is utilized, will be maintained.

The tape I! as contemplated by me in the aforementioned illustration, may carry a waterproof, water insoluble, normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive of the character indicated by me and made by the aforementioned process. The adhesive coating, however, may well be one which may be normally dry and is activated to adhesiveness just before application or contacting by an organic-volatile solvent. Where the coating serves in the nature of a waterproof sealing coat for the transparent gelatinized cellulosic material, such as regenerated cellulose, th organic volatile solvent moistening ingredient which is described and comprising a rubber and resin mixture as the base.

Where a sheet of tape or packaging material of transparent material, comprising a film or layer of regenerated cellulose coated with a cellulosic compound to waterproof the regenerated cellulose and comprising plasticized pyroxylin is used either as the packaging material or the tape, the process for sealing the package may include moistening the plasticized layer of the cellulosic L compound with a solvent for this layer, such as a mixture of the acetone and amyl acetate, which temporarily dissolves the plasticized pyroxylin coating. However, as the proportioning of the solvents used 'to activate to adhesiveness the waterproofing film, in drying may cause blushing and thereby altering of the appearance of the package as to its lustrous, highly polished and transparent characteristics, it is preferred by me to utilize either upon the packaging material itself or upon the backing material of the character herein described, the adhesive materials indicated herein under Formulae A, B, C, D, E, F and G, preferably as in the examples heretofore indicated, by a modification, where it is desirable, by the application of a primer coat preceding the adhesive coat.

In the illustration, where I utilize a tape which is clear and transparent, and the composite carried thereby is equally clear, transparent, and in elastic equilibrium with the superimposed edges of the packaging material and the tape, the general appearance of the entire article will be the same and at the same time the entire contents of the package is sealed against ingress of atmospheric moisture and water, as well as serving to seal the contents of the package from losses due to evaporation from within.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated the application of the sealing member as contemplated by me to a package l5, comprising paper having printed matter shown thereon, as at I6. Edges of the packaging material comprising" this printed paper are shown to overlap at I 1. Over the superimposed edges I may apply a sealing member l8. This sealing member or tape comprises a transparent backing material including an adhesive coating of the character hereinbefore described, which may be one which is normally tacky or pressure sensitive or one which may be activated by moistening to an adhesive condition. A seal as thus provided serves to properly fasten and bind the overlapping edges of the packaging wrapper. This is eifectively done by reason of the adhesive coating chosen and where a backing material is utilized which is transparent, the printed matter appearing on the wrapper will be clearly visible therethrough. Thus, by my invention, paper wrappers having printed matter may be employed and this wrapper may be sealed efiectively by a transparent adhesive tape serving to efiectively bind the edges of the wrapper utilized, without marring or detracting assua e vided with a sealing layer of adhesive 22. This adhesive layer is also preferably of the character which retains the layers of highly polished, lustrous and/or transparent wrapping material in elastic adhesive equilibrium, to maintain this condition. It may, however, be a sealing medium of waterproof characteristics, which has the same color index or color motif appearing on the interior wrapper 20. Byusing an adhesive oi the character herein generally referred to in Example D, this may be readily accomplished and provide a package in which the highly polished, lustrous wrapping material has its edges united in elastic adhesive equilibrium, to retain this desirable characteristic, and with a color index or hue of the same character as the interior or decorative wrapper.

In Figure I have diagrammatically illustrated a method of packaging or sealing. This involves the uniting of the layers 23 and 2%. These layers may constitute mutual contacting adjacent edges of a packaging wrapper and/or an overlying piece of tape over the overlapping edges of a wrapper. Either one or both of the layers 23 and 25 may constitute a composite indicated in thefigures by the legends (a), (b), (c), in which the layer (a) may be the film of gelatinized cellulosic material, such as regenerated cellulose or Cellophane; layer (0) maybe the film. or layer of water-proof material or plasticized pyroxylin or cellulosic compound; layer (1)) may be a film of waterproof material, such as plasticized pyroxylin or a cellulosic compound, with or without a layer of waterproof adhesive. -Where waterproof adhesive is included by the layer (b), this may be one of the adhesives hereinbefore described which will join the layers 23 and 24, particularly where this is a highly lustrous, brilliant and/or transparent sheet, into contact having elastic adhesive equilibrium, to retain and preserve it the same.

In practice, the layers 23 and 24% are united, preferably passing the layer 24 through a set of guiding rollers 25 and 25, the lower one of which is a moistening roll and is in contact with the applicator or transfer roll 2?, moistened by the wick 28. In its continued movement, the layer 24 passes beneath the pressure roll 29, at which point the layer is pressed into engagement with the layer 23, lying upon the flattened portion 30. This latterportion may be the table or the contents of the package itself. It is understood, however, that where I use a normally pressure sensitive adhesive coating as the layer (b), the moistening operation may be omitted entirely.

- The moistening agent included by the wick is one which is an organic volatile solvent or a com bination of solvents which will serve to adhesively activate the surface (2)) Where the surface (b) is plasticized pyroxylin or a' similar cellulosic compound, the moistening agent may be chosen to be one which will have a dissolving effect. upon this ingredient. Where the layer (1)) constitutes a water-proof film as part of the tape or the packaging material, such as a film of th normally dry rubber-resin composition, gasoline or benzol may'serve as the moistening agents, and where non-inflammability is desirable, chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as ethylene dichloride and carbontetrachloride may be used.

The process essentially resides in dissolution of the surfaces, such as those identified as (b), and pressing them together during the time when they have been activated to adhesiveness by reason of the moistem'ng action.

Where the layer, (b) includes a waterproof adhesive which is normally dry, particularly that constituting a large proportion of resinous material, the layers 23 and 2d are united after passing beneath the pressure roller 29 and will set quickly.

In Figure 6 I have disclosedanother embodiment of my invention in the form of a prepared packaging material, in which a is the backing material, b are spaced longitudinal strips of adhesive, and b transverse strips of adhesive. This material may be formed in sheets or in rolls.

Whil I have above described .the' preferred range and specific percentage of solids to solvents for the primer composition, it will be understood that the solids may constitute or.0% and that where 100% solids are used the method of application described immediately following Primer type 2 may be used. Where no solids are used the solvent is applied just immediately preceding the application of the adhesive coat. While still wet the adhesive coat is applied to assure greater anchorage of the adhesive coating to th backing by its solvent action on the coating and backing material.

Where pyroxylin is used for the waterproof layer b, it may be plasticized by a quantity of resinous materials in proportion of about 67% to 50% of resinous material to about 33% to 50% of nitrocellulose material. Under such conditions the solvent necessary to render thev waterproof coat active for adhesion may be the ordinary known solvents for nitrocellulose without modification. In such event no other coating of ad- The above composition may form the adhesive coating of a normally dry character upon volatilization of the solvents and may be activated to adhesiveness by the normal solvents for nitrocellulose.

Additional examples of primers which anchor the adhesive coating to regenerated cellulose such as Cellophane waterprooied or untreated (ordinary) are as follows:

1 Parts Selected tube reclaim rubber 90 Latex crepe rubber l0 Whiting 40 FF wood rosin 2 Parts desirable qualities by imparting a pigmentin: FF wood r in 2 action, carrying forward the general color motif Rubber (latex crepe) 1 of the package to which'it is applied, in additi n 3 Parts to other desirable properties previouslylndicated. FF wood rmm 2 5 The packaging materials have their utility ex- 4 Parts Selected inner tube reclaimed rubber treated further to remove pigment 9O Latex crepe rubber 10 FF wood rosin 140 This last primer is particularly transparent, and useful in connection with regenerated cellulose, such as Cellophane, ordinary or waterproof.

In general, it will be observed that I accomplish a sealing of the adjacent layers of edges for packaging byva dissolving action of the fabric itself, constituting the packaging material and with. a highly polished and lustrous, and/or transparent film ofthecharacter described, this is accomplished without altering these desirable properties.

Where, in addition to ,the waterproofing layers for such sheets as, are'made from regenerated cellulose, the waterproofingsurfaces include the adhesive compositionsv herein specified, activation or dissolution of these surfaces result in adhesion of,contacting surfaces with a speed of operation heretofore unattained. j The adhesive action is accomplished with a preservation of the desirable characteristics of the packaging material and even to the point of augmenting these tended in that their airproof and moistureproof qualities are augmented by providing seals which are as efficient in these properties as are the packaging. materials themselves or the parts which the seals unite.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. A tape which is impermeable to organic solvents including a normally dry adhesive coating responsive to highly volatile organic solvents to activate said adhesive coating to adhesiveness, said adhesive coating comprising a resinous material and a film control filler servingto preserve the film of adhesive material' upon the. moistening action by the highly volatile organic solvent.

2. The method of making an adhesive sheet which comprises providing paper treated with a glue base material with a water insoluble, adhesive layer, by coating the paper so treated with the adhesive in a vehicle comprising ethylene glycol mono-ethyl ether.

3. The method of making a composite sheeted material which comprises-bringing together a sheet carrying a water soluble coating and a water insoluble adhesive material, by a vehicle which has solvent actionupon both the water soluble coating and the adhesive material.

' RICHARD GURLEY DREW. 

